Deflector ball game



Dec. 29, 1936. c. E. POST DEFLECTOR BALL GAME Filed Jan. 8, 1936 INVENTOR C/zar/es ln'dm sf BY ,1,. 0'

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" DEFLECTOR BALL GAME Application January 8, 1936, Serial No. 58,035

6 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a deflector ball game.

The invention has for an object the construction of a game as mentioned which is characterized by a table with field lines thereon to one end of which there is mounted a vertical member having a deflecting surface which is partially covered at the bottorniwith a net. The feature of the construction is'ji that a player may bat a ball against the deflecting surface with a racket or similar instrument and attempt to cause the ball to bounce in certain portions of the field.

A further object of; the invention is an arrangement whereby the vertical member is hingedly mounted and may be lowered to an inoperative position beneath the table so that the table may be used for other purposes.

Another one of the objects of the invention is to arrange the net adjustable on the table so that it may be moved to a central position and then the table may be used as a Ping Pong or a tennis table.

The invention proposes that the device be either small and portable for indoor use, or of a large size for outdoor use.

A further object of the invention is an arrangement wherein the vertical member has a second deflecting surface on its back side,.and an arrangement is provided by which the vertical member may be turned so that either side may be used as desired.

Another object is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost. For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had toifthe following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims'in which the various novel features of the inventionare; more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective wiew of a deflector ball game constructed accordingto this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, bottom elevational view looking in the direction of the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l.

The deflector ball game, according to this invention, comprises a table ID with field lines II, II, etc. on the top thereof. A vertical member I2 is mounted on one end of the table and has a deflecting surface W A net l3 covers the lower portion of the vertical member so as to block off the lower portion of the deflecting surface.

The end of the table, upon which the vertical member 12 is mounted, is formed with an outward extending ledge l0. Upon the free edge of this ledge there is a plate [4, hingedly mounted. This plate is adapted to be pivoted beneath the ledge Ill. The vertical member [2 is swivelly mounted upon the plate l4. There is a central swivel connection I5 from the center of the bottom of the vertical member I! which engages through the plate [4. On the two sides of this swivel connection there are removable elements l5, preferably screws, for holding the vertical member i2 in adjusted positions. It is possible to adjust the vertical member I2 so that the deflecting surface i2 is to the front, or to turn it around so that the rear deflecting surface l2 is to the front. This rear surface distinguishes from the front surface in the fact that itiis composed of a plurality of straight vertical flat areas, contrasted with the curved shape of the surface l2.

The net i3 is supported upon a pair of vertical arms l6 which extend through parallel'longitudinal slots I! in the table top. The arms l6 connect with rearward extending portions l6, which in turn connect with a transverse extending portion l6 This transverse extending portion l6 engages a pair of .runners l8 mounted on the bottom of the table. These runners serve to slidably support the portion H5 so that this portion may be moved forwards or rearwards to correspondingly move the net IS. The dot and dash lines l3 in Fig. 1 illustrate a moved position of the arms IE to the center of the table. The lower ends of the arms l6 have small ofiset bottom portions it which engage against the top of the table and slidably support the arms. These offset portions l0 connect with the portions Iii previously mentioned.

The plate I4 is held in edge alignment with the ledge ID by slides 20 adjustably mounted in tracks 2| upon the underside of the plate It and extendible into complementary receiving tracks 22 upon the underside of the ledge ID. The operation of the device is as follows: when in the condition shown in Fig. 1 a player may stand to the fined in the appended claims.

front end thereof and with a suitable racket drive a ball against the deflecting surface and have it bounce upon certain portions of the field of the table. It requires skill to properly handle the ball so that it travels the paths desired.

When desired, the slides 20 may be withdrawn, the plate l4 pivoted downwards, and the vertical member 112 swivelled' around 180. The plate-I4 may then be moved back to the horizontal position and held in this position by proper engagement of the slides 20. Now a different deflecting surface is presented to the player. t I

When it is desired the slides 20 may be retracted and the plate I4 pivoted downwards through 180 so that the member [2 assumes the positionlZL The parts are so proportioned that in the loweredposition the member l2 has its bottom end engaging the floor. It is necessary that the table be slightly lifted when the member is so lowered.

The portion I6 may be drawn frontwards'by' one stooping below the table so that the net I3 is moved to the central position I3. The tablemay now be used for Ping Pong and similar games.

It is to be understood that this game may. either be of the portable type or built in at any location, also that the portable game maybe placed on any table, as shown on the illustration, or provided with suitable legs. The net l3 maybe removed entirely from the game. v V

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit. myselfto the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as, de-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby'United States Letters Patent is: l. A deflector ball game, comprising a table with field lines'thereon and having a ledge, a vertical member mounted on said ledge andvadapted to be moved to an inoperative position and formed-with a deflecting surface, and a netcovering. the lower portionofj said vertical member, samiyvern'cjal member 'beinglnngedly mounted so thatit may be lowered 'to an, inoperative position .to snow other games to be played on the said'table'.

2. A deflector ball game, comprising/arable having a ledge at one end, a vertical member hingedly mounted on said ledgejand' adapted to e v n. e reera eee n"new? e said table and connecting with portions extending beneath the table, in turn connecting with a transverse portion engaging a track by which the arms may be adjusted to various positions. 4. A deflector ball game, comprising a table having a ledge at one end, a plate hingedly mounted on the edge-of said ledge, a vertical member swivelled on said plate and formed with deflecting' surfaces on the front and back sides, a pair of arms extending through slots in saidtable and supporting a net across the lower portion of said Vertical member,,said arms connecting with portions engaging tracks mounteduponrthe bottom of the table by which thearms may bemoyed to various adjusted positions.

5. A deflector ball game, comprising a table having a ledge at one end, a plate hingedly mount-, ed on the edge or said ledge, a vertical member swivelled on said plate and formed withdeflecting surfaces on the iront and back sides a pair of arms extendingthrough slots in said table and supporting a netacross'the lower portion of said vertical member, said arms connecting with portions engagingtracks mounted upon the bottom of the table .by which'the arms may be moved to various adjusted positions, said arms. having oilsetportions at thebottom .ends restingagainst theltop of the table. [6. A. deflector. .ball v having a ledge at one end, aplatehingedly mount ed on the edge o'f'said ledge; a verticalmember swivelledonsaid plate and formed with deflecting surfaces 'on' the ffront-L' and sides, a pair of arms extending through. lots, 'Qin said. table] s supporting anetacross the 'lowenportionpf said vertical. member,- saidarms connecting with nor tions engaging tracks mounted upon-the bottom Q t l aw- 1, 1 the m mare moved to various adjusted positions, .and' means 'Ifor hold-T a ing the said verti calmember in positions. v R E$ EDWAR -.3951- game, comprising a table, 

